The Diary of a Pilot's Wife

I have learned there are a lot of misconceptions about being a pilot's wife. I am starting this new section of this blog to share our new journey as we venture into being an "airline" family. I want to clear up one misconception from the start:

People always assume my husband gets really, really well.

Truth: Pilots pay almost the same cost as doctors do for their education and make below the poverty line when they start off. Most pilots will not make enough to support a family until they are 10 years into their career. They can only fly 1,000 hours a year and they only get paid for the time they are flying. They collect "per diem" which adds up a little, but the reality is your pilot is struggling. When I actually talk to people about the wages of a pilot- they are disgusted. It actually makes them a little bit weary that the next time they step on a flight there is a good chance their pilot qualifies for food stamps. Some pilots do not get paid during a 6+ week training. Years ago pilots made really good money..now-a-days not so much and it is really hard to get your feet in the door.

Which leads to the question---why would anybody want to become a pilot?? Its a pure passion. Kellen knew at 7 years old that he wanted to fly. He can't see himself doing anything else. Its woven into the fibers of his being. I think he would be completely lost without aviation. He has talked about leaving it to pursue a more family friendly career but honestly can't see himself doing anything else.

The other thing people constantly assume is that my husband can work anywhere and we can live here in Pittsburgh forever. It has become increasingly difficult to commute to work when working for an airline. Pittsburgh no longer is a hub for US Airways and the senor captains get preference out of here to get to their bases in Charlotte. Although it is not impossible, it is extremely difficult especially when trying to have a family life. For this reason, we will relocate. We don't know when or where. I am patiently, well to be honest more like impatiently, waiting for bids to come out.

There are so many unknowns in the beginning of this journey--where we'll be, when do we need to be there, what will his schedule be like, what kind of housing, will I need to work- if so, how will it work with Kellen's schedule. We are nearing the end of week 1 and I have no answers.

So thus begins a new journey in our life....welcome to the dairy of pilot's wife.

DIY Project: Toy Chest

Someday I would love to flip a house. Overly ambitious maybe, but I think I could do it (with the help of my wonderful handyman husband). Of course my parents would probably get roped into everything and it would end up being so much work, but in the end it would look great! If this every happens it won't be for a long time since we are short on cash and time at the moment. But I am loving simple DIY projects around the house that make a BIG difference.

When my sisters and I were little girls we had a simple wooden toy box. We basically ruined it by covering every inch of it in stickers. Basically useless, my dad made an ice fishing concocktion, drilling holes in the side and using it to drag his poles, baits and other supplies in it. This piece of furniture was pretty much useless. But I decided to "save it". Probably about 2 years ago, I got this thing with holes and stickers and decided I was going to refinish it. Well, that was a big task. I couldn't get all the stickers off and the ones I did get off left marks in the wood. I tried to sand it but I didn't get an even texture. I was disappointed and decided to paint it black and only stain the lid. This matches the table and chairs I stained before Kellen and I got married. Well, I painted it back when we lived in the city but never got around to staining it. It has sat unfinished for over a year. We store our sheets and blankets in it and it just sits in the hallway and collects junk on top. Somewhere I got this idea to add padding and cover the lid making it a usable bench. So tonight we were out at Robinson getting dog food from Sam's club and I asked Kellen if we could go to Joann Fabrics-- probably my favorite store! They were having a huge sale so I guess on the supplies we needed and came home and got right to work!

I got a yard of padding for $4.99 and the fabric was just over $6.99. My grand total after tax was $13.66. It took me about 30 minutes. To measure and cut and staple everything. I ran out of staples so I will finish tomorrow...but it is mostly done! Check out the before and afters! I wish I had the pictures of it completely covered in stickers but I don't! Trust me, there was barely any wood left showing.

We are moving again soon and I can't wait to set this up in our new place:

What do you think? Was it worth the $13.66?

Fail!

At first I stopped uploading my pictures on here for my Project 365 because I put them on facebook. Then I slowly stopped putting them on facebook. Basically I failed. I took plenty of pictures- mostly of Lainey but it was too much to upload them all the time. Maybe when things calm down I can try this again.

Come to me all ye who are weary and burdened and I'll give you rest.

For my yolk is easy and my burden is light.

Days 6-10

Day 6: A princess in the making

Day 7: Both dogs got baths. Shelby showing off her clean self.

Day 8: Chrissy's 21st. One candle away from a wish come true.

Day 9: Celebrating Grandpa's 90th birthday

Day 10: Sour Patch fruit...a Cottrell (and Grau) favorite!

Today marks Kellen's first week at home since he quit Fedex. This means dinners as a family. He is quite excited to have more time with Lainey and I. This is the first time since we've been married that we will be able to consistently eat dinner together as a family. This also means I have to cook daily. I am looking forward to this because I feel like I finally get to do some "wifely" duties. I always wanted to be a stay at home mom who can cook and clean for her hard working husband. Call me old school- but I love it! Being a stay at home mom is by no mean an easy job. It is tiring. Cooking, cleaning, running errands, laundry, etc. Its all over whelming. Its a good day if I get to eat a meal by noon. Lainey comes first. She has be fed, bathed, clothed, and occupied before I can even think about eating or showering myself. Of course by being a stay at home mom I don't have the pressure of being fired (ha ha) but I also never get a raise and "pay day" does not happen every Friday. Heck- I'd be lucky if I got a bonus on our anniversay and mother's day. I think the biggest struggle I have is that it is often a thankless job too. I feel like so much I do goes unappreciated. I don't get a "thank you for doing the dishes." or "you did a great job folding the laundry today". For those moms who work full time and keep the house in order- you're amazing! Right now its so hard to balance it all and I thought I was a good multi-tasker. Now don't get me wrong I am by no means complaining- I LOVE that I am blessed to stay at home with Lainey and I love serving my husband and keeping the house in order for him. I just sometimes wish people appreciated the "homemaker" profession a little more. It is by no means an easy task.

365 Photos

As promised, here is the start of a year of photos. Each is a little reflection of something that happened during the day. I am going to upload in groups of 5 to make it a little easier for me.

January 1: A New Year and new food for Lainey. She loved it! We started her on Oatmeal cereal.

January 2: New recipe for baked potatoe soup. Very good!

January 3: Happy 2nd Anniversary!

January 4: Beautiful winter sunshine!

January 5: Dieter- please sir, may I have some more

The new year has been treating us good so far. Kellen's last day at FedEx is tomorrow. That means more time as a family. We are still trying to figure out what to do about health insurance, but it will all work out.